In the tenth and final story in the ‘Aunt Jane’ series of novels by popular author L. Frank Baum, the cousins Elizabeth and Patsy are contemplating the looming war in Europe. When their film star friend Maud from California comes to visit and reveals her plan to join the Red Cross, the women are inspired and decide to do their bit for the war effort too. Elizabeth and Patsy soon find themselves in the heart of the battle on the French-Belgian border, as they dodge bullets and bombs to try and help wounded men. A fascinating final instalment to the series. Lyman Frank Baum (1856 – 1919) was a prolific and well-known American writer. He is best known for his famous series of modern fairy tales set in the imaginary land of Oz. The first of the books, ‘The Wonderful Wizard of Oz’ is widely considered to be the first true American fairy tale and was the basis for the hugely popular 1939 classic musical ‘The Wizard of Oz’ starring Judy Garland. Born and raised in New York, Baum held a range of jobs including as a poultry farmer, clerk, and storekeeper before pursuing his talent for writing at the age of 41. He wrote 14 novels in the Oz series, as well as over 40 other novels and over 80 short stories. He died in California in 1919.
